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Investigator (Temporary Job Opening) - Job Opportunity at United Nations

Geneva, Switzerland
Temporary
Senior
Posted: July 3, 2025
On-site
USD 85,000 - 120,000 per year based on UN Professional grade P-3 to P-4 level compensation structure, including post adjustment for Geneva duty station and potential hardship allowances for field deployment

Benefits

International organization prestige and global career advancement opportunities within the UN system
Exposure to high-impact human rights work with meaningful contribution to justice and accountability
Professional development through specialized training in international humanitarian law and human rights investigations
Comprehensive UN staff benefits package including health insurance, pension contributions, and leave entitlements
Opportunity for international mobility and potential reassignment to field locations including Damascus, Syria
Access to UN diplomatic community and networking opportunities with international professionals
Language allowances and professional development support for multilingual capabilities

Key Responsibilities

Lead complex investigations into missing persons cases in Syrian conflict context, directly contributing to international accountability mechanisms and providing closure for affected families
Conduct high-stakes interviews with victims, witnesses, and stakeholders while ensuring adherence to international protection standards and 'do no harm' principles
Manage comprehensive evidence collection and preservation processes, including electronic evidence handling, to support potential legal proceedings and institutional reporting
Coordinate strategic incident response activities and scene control operations, ensuring professional competency throughout investigation processes
Develop and implement investigation methodologies and processes to meet institutional mandates and enhance operational effectiveness
Produce authoritative investigation reports and conduct post-investigation analysis to inform decision-making and policy development
Collaborate across organizational units to achieve coordinated case handling and ensure compliance with UN regulations and international standards
Perform advanced data analysis to identify patterns and trends, providing critical insights through sophisticated visualization methods for organizational planning and reporting

Requirements

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law, international law, criminal investigation, police studies or related fields. A combination of a first-level university degree in the aforementioned field together with formal qualifications and/or certifications in investigations (military, police, federal/national intelligence agencies) and two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience

A minimum of five years (seven for holders of a first-level university degree) of full-time progressively responsible experience in investigatory work is required. Experience carrying out investigations of violations of international human rights law or international humanitarian law is required.

Required Skills

Familiarity with best practices in tracing and investigating on human rights violation, including interviewing victims and witnesses, collecting and analyzing data Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to investigations Good research, analytical and problem-solving skills Knowledge of various research methodologies and sources, including electronic sources on the Internet, intranet and other databases Proficiency in software applications used in investigations Ability to identify and analyze problems/issues and participate in their resolution Proven ability to gather evidence and interview subjects and witnesses Ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given Ability to plan own work and manage conflicting priorities Ability to gather and analyze electronic evidence Ability to draft/edit, a variety of written reports especially with respect to the preparation of complex reports of investigation Comprehensive knowledge of UN policies, procedures and operations including good knowledge of the conditions prevailing in areas where the United Nations conducts peacekeeping missions Fluency in English and Arabic is required

Certifications

Formal qualifications and/or certifications in Investigations (pursuant to a course of study, training and examinations of a state/national law enforcement institution, a national military academy or a federal/national intelligence service training institution, supplemented with professional development courses and/or certifications involving study, training and examinations in investigatory work)
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

International accountability mechanisms are experiencing unprecedented expansion as the global community increasingly demands justice for mass atrocities and human rights violations. The establishment of new investigative bodies like the IIMP represents a significant shift toward specialized, victim-centered approaches to transitional justice, reflecting growing recognition that traditional diplomatic solutions alone are insufficient for addressing systematic human rights abuses. Digital forensics and electronic evidence collection have become cornerstone capabilities in international investigations, driven by the proliferation of digital communications and social media documentation of conflicts. Investigators must now possess sophisticated technical skills to handle encrypted communications, satellite imagery analysis, and social media intelligence gathering, representing a fundamental evolution in investigative methodologies. The Syrian conflict has generated one of the largest documentation efforts in history, creating new standards for evidence preservation and witness protection in active conflict zones. This case study is reshaping how international organizations approach investigations in ongoing conflicts, emphasizing the need for real-time documentation and remote investigation capabilities that can operate despite security constraints and political obstacles.

Role Significance

Typically leads investigation teams of 3-5 junior investigators and support staff, while coordinating with multidisciplinary teams including legal officers, analysts, and protection specialists across a 20-30 person institutional structure
Senior-level position requiring autonomous decision-making authority and strategic oversight of complex investigation processes. The role demands independent judgment in high-stakes situations involving victim safety, evidence integrity, and international legal standards, positioning the incumbent as a key contributor to institutional credibility and operational success.

Key Projects

Multi-year systematic investigation into forced disappearances and detention facility networks across Syrian government and opposition-controlled territories Development of comprehensive missing persons database integrating testimonial evidence, documentary materials, and digital forensics to support potential criminal proceedings Implementation of victim-centered investigation protocols that balance accountability objectives with family needs and community healing processes Cross-border evidence collection operations requiring coordination with multiple national jurisdictions and international partners

Success Factors

Exceptional emotional resilience and psychological stability to handle traumatic testimony and evidence while maintaining professional objectivity and avoiding secondary trauma that could compromise investigation quality Cultural competency and linguistic proficiency enabling effective communication with Arabic-speaking victims and witnesses, understanding cultural sensitivities around family honor, gender dynamics, and religious considerations that affect testimony collection Advanced technical proficiency in digital forensics, database management, and evidence preservation systems that meet international legal standards for admissibility in potential criminal proceedings Strategic thinking capability to balance competing priorities between victim needs, institutional mandates, political constraints, and operational security requirements in a complex multi-stakeholder environment Collaborative leadership skills to coordinate across diverse professional backgrounds including legal experts, human rights advocates, intelligence analysts, and diplomatic personnel with varying organizational cultures and priorities

Market Demand

High demand driven by expanding international justice mechanisms and specialized expertise requirements in conflict-related investigations

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Arabic language fluency is absolutely essential as it enables direct communication with Syrian victims and witnesses without interpretation barriers that could compromise testimony quality or cultural understanding. This skill distinguishes candidates in a highly specialized field where linguistic authenticity significantly impacts investigation effectiveness and victim trust-building. International humanitarian law expertise provides the legal framework necessary for conducting investigations that meet international standards for potential criminal proceedings. This knowledge ensures that evidence collection, witness protection, and reporting procedures align with legal requirements that could support future accountability mechanisms or judicial processes. Digital forensics capabilities are crucial given the Syrian conflict's extensive digital documentation through social media, encrypted communications, and satellite imagery. Investigators must understand how to preserve, analyze, and present electronic evidence while maintaining chain of custody requirements that meet international legal standards. Trauma-informed interview techniques are essential for collecting reliable testimony from victims and witnesses who have experienced severe psychological trauma. These skills ensure that investigation processes do not re-traumatize participants while maximizing the quality and completeness of information gathered for accountability purposes.

Beneficial Skills

Advanced data visualization and analysis skills enhance the ability to identify patterns across large datasets of missing persons cases, potentially revealing systematic practices or geographic concentrations that inform broader accountability strategies and resource allocation decisions Understanding of Syrian political dynamics, sectarian complexities, and local governance structures provides crucial context for interpreting evidence and understanding the political economy of enforced disappearances within the broader conflict landscape Project management and coordination abilities are valuable for managing complex, multi-year investigation processes that require coordination across multiple stakeholders, jurisdictions, and organizational cultures while maintaining strict security and confidentiality protocols Cross-cultural communication and diplomatic skills facilitate effective engagement with diverse stakeholders including government officials, civil society representatives, and international partners who may have competing interests or conflicting approaches to accountability and justice issues

Unique Aspects

This position offers rare opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking international legal precedent, as the IIMP represents the first UN institution specifically mandated to investigate missing persons in an ongoing conflict, potentially establishing new frameworks for future accountability mechanisms
The role provides direct access to one of the most comprehensively documented conflicts in modern history, with unprecedented amounts of digital evidence, witness testimony, and documentary materials available for analysis and investigation
Unique potential for field deployment to Damascus represents extraordinary professional opportunity to conduct investigations directly within a post-conflict environment, providing invaluable experience in transitional justice implementation and victim engagement
The position offers multilingual professional development in Arabic, English, and French within a genuinely international working environment, enhancing long-term career prospects in global organizations
Investigation work directly contributes to providing answers to thousands of Syrian families about the fate of their missing relatives, representing meaningful humanitarian impact beyond traditional bureaucratic roles

Career Growth

Progression to senior management roles typically occurs within 3-5 years given the specialized nature of the field and limited pool of qualified professionals with Syrian conflict expertise

Potential Next Roles

Senior Investigation Manager or Chief of Investigations within expanding international accountability mechanisms such as the International Criminal Court or ad hoc tribunals Human Rights Officer or Senior Human Rights Adviser positions within UN peacekeeping operations or political missions requiring investigation expertise Independent consultant or expert witness roles for international law firms, transitional justice organizations, or government agencies developing accountability programs Academic or research positions at universities or think tanks specializing in international criminal law, transitional justice, or conflict analysis

Company Overview

United Nations

The United Nations represents the world's primary multilateral organization for international cooperation, peace, and security, with the newly established Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic (IIMP) representing a landmark development in international accountability mechanisms. Established through General Assembly Resolution 77/301 in June 2023, the IIMP demonstrates unprecedented international commitment to addressing one of the Syrian conflict's most tragic aspects - the systematic use of enforced disappearances as a weapon of war.

The UN maintains unparalleled global legitimacy and convening power in international affairs, with the IIMP representing cutting-edge innovation in transitional justice mechanisms. As the first UN institution specifically dedicated to missing persons investigations, it sets new standards for international accountability and victim-centered approaches to mass atrocity crimes.
Geneva serves as the global hub for international humanitarian law and human rights mechanisms, providing access to unmatched expertise, diplomatic networks, and specialized resources. The potential relocation to Damascus represents a significant operational advantage, positioning the institution directly within the affected region to maximize access to victims, witnesses, and evidence sources.
UN institutional culture emphasizes collaborative multilateralism, cultural diversity, and principled approaches to complex political challenges. The organization's commitment to gender equality, geographic representation, and professional development creates an environment that values diverse perspectives while maintaining rigorous professional standards and ethical conduct requirements.
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